Ghughuti Festival: Uttarakhand's Unique Celebration of Children and Crows

• The Ghughuti festival, also known as Ghughutiya or Ghee Tyar, is a prominent folk festival celebrated in Uttarakhand's Kumaon region on Makar Sankranti.
• Children are central to the festival, wearing garlands made of special Ghughuti sweets (wheat flour and jaggery) around their necks.
• A popular legend attributes the festival's origin to a crow saving King Kalyan Chand's son, Nirbhay Chand (affectionately called Ghughuti), from a minister's plot.
• Preparations involve making Ghughuti sweets and urad dal pooris, which are offered to crows by children who chant "Kaale Kauaa Kaale, Ghughuti Maala Khaale."
• The festival highlights cultural heritage, family unity, and connects children with nature, emphasizing love, compassion, and environmental balance.

Why It Matters: Uttarakhand's Ghughuti festival is a vibrant celebration of children, nature, and cultural heritage on Makar Sankranti.